Young U.S. Electrotechnology Professionals Sought for Prominent International Standardization Program

Program aims to strengthen the future of technology transfer and encourage the participation of young professionals in shaping the future of standardization and conformance

NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The U.S. National Committee (USNC) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is seeking nominations for young professionals at the start of their electrotechnology careers to participate in the Young Professionals 2013 Workshop, to be held in conjunction with the 77th IEC General Meeting (GM) in New Delhi, India, on October 21-25, 2013.

The Young Professionals Workshop brings together international candidates selected from IEC National Committees around the globe who are at the start of their careers in electrotechnical standardization and conformity assessment. The program aims to cultivate long-term national involvement in the international arena, strengthen the future of technology transfer, and encourage the participation of young professionals in shaping the future of standardization and conformance.

Ms. Souvannarath was one of only three international participants voted to be a 2012 Young Professional (YP) Leader at the 76th IEC GM in Oslo, Norway. As such, she will act as ambassador for the program within the IEC family and help to shape its activities while she serves as YP Leader.

Alongside recipients from other nations, the three young professionals selected to represent the U.S. at the IEC 2013 General Meeting in New Delhi will attend a dedicated workshop where they will learn more about the IEC, standardization strategies, and conformity assessment. They will also have the opportunity to attend technical meetings where standards are developed, observe meetings of the IEC Standardization Management Board (SMB) and the IEC Conformity Assessment Board (CAB), and benefit from extensive networking opportunities in an international setting. Recipients will be financially supported for their travel and up to three nights of accommodation.

"Being able to sit in at the SMB and CAB meetings and also getting to sit in at the Technical Committee level was a great insight. This provided a holistic view from the technical side all the way through to the management side of standards, and that was a good opportunity," said Ms. Souvannarath.

The Young Professionals program is targeted towards individuals who are in the early years of their professional career, post university. U.S. stakeholders are encouraged to nominate young professionals involved in standardization from industry, government, academia, consumer organizations, or any entity within the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment community that uses, benefits from, or contributes to the IEC's work in electrotechnical standardization and conformance.

Nominations must be submitted electronically to Charlie Zegers, general secretary of the USNC (czegers@ansi.org) by Tuesday, April 30, 2013. Letters of support from members of the standardization community attesting to the nominee's outstanding achievements and appropriateness for receipt of the award are strongly encouraged.

The selection process is based on the nominee's demonstrated leadership and dedication, vision of the strategic or commercial impact of standards and conformance, and significant accomplishments in their chosen field of activity. Candidates will be assessed by a selection panel composed of USNC Officers, standing committee officers, former U.S. Young Professional recipients, and a pool of USNC Honorary Life Members. The winners will be notified in July 2013.

Now in its fourth year, The Young Professionals Workshop debuted at the USNC-hosted IEC 2010 General Meeting in Seattle. The inaugural program welcomed 53 young professionals from 27 countries to encourage their continued participation in standardization and conformity assessment activities.

About ANSIThe American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization whose mission is to enhance U.S. global competitiveness and the American quality of life by promoting, facilitating, and safeguarding the integrity of the voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. Its membership is comprised of businesses, professional societies and trade associations, standards developers, government agencies, and consumer and labor organizations. The Institute represents the diverse interests of more than 125,000 companies and organizations and 3.5 million professionals worldwide.

The Institute is the official U.S. representative to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and, via the U.S. National Committee, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and is a U.S. representative to the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).

About the USNC/IECThe U.S. National Committee of the International Electrotechnical Commission (USNC/IEC) serves as the focal point for U.S. parties who are interested in the development, promulgation, and use of globally-relevant standards for the electrotechnical industry. The Committee is also engaged in the assessment of conformance to standards, undertaking work in areas such as testing, certification and accreditation.

As the U.S. representative to the IEC and many related regional standardization bodies, the USNC/IEC serves as a conduit to the global standards-setting community for technical and policy positions arising in the U.S. and brings issues from the global arena to the U.S. for review, consideration, and response. The USNC/IEC is a totally integrated committee of the American National Standards Institute.